The Amazon AppStore for Android is officially open, and consumers are debating if Amazon is better than the Android Marketplace for picking up new apps for their handheld devices. The debate may not go on for long since Amazon is being sued by Apple who is apparently unhappy with the new app store.
As Amazon faces Apple's lawsuit, they also face the competition from the Google Android Marketplace. Amazon being a long time online retailer definitely has one up on the Android Marketplace as far as navigation goes. The Amazon AppStore is much easier to browse through than the Android Market. There is a sliding bar near the middle of the screen which allows users to quickly select categories. This comes in handy for those who become frustrated with the sometimes finicky method for selections on the Android Market. Additionally, in agreement with PC World, the pea green color scheme for the Android Market is getting old.
A downside may be the installation process. While installing apps through Amazon's store is considerably easy, it is not as seamless an experience as that offered by the Android Market. While the Android market sends customers back to the home screen while an app is being installed, the Amazon AppStore sends users to an installation screen that is a little less desirable to users who are used to the Android Market.
Another perk with the Android Market is the fact that users can return an app within 15 minutes of purchasing. This is a strong selling point for Android, since users may not like an app once they have tried it out. Although Amazon offers the "test drive" feature, where users can try apps out from their computer's Web browser, it does not let customers know how the app will work on their Android Smartphone.
Additionally, the Android Market has a much larger selection to choose from than Amazon's store, and users cannot install apps remotely from Amazon's website. Users who desire this ability will need to stick with the Android Marketplace. App quality seems to be slightly better with the Amazon AppStore, and they give away a free app per day. Android has to date offered no promotions for their apps.
Current and future owners of phones like the HTC Thunderbolt or the upcoming Droid Bionic and other smartphones seem to have a good selection of apps online with these two e-tailer stores. Â Have you tried out the Amazon AppStore? If so, how do you feel it rates next to the Android Marketplace?
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